Southampton close to selling Harwood-Bellis to Aston Villa | OneFootball

Daily Echo understands that Southampton are close to agreeing a deal to sell defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis to Aston Villa.

If completed, the move would end weeks of uncertainty around the 24-year-old centre-back. Sky Sports first reported an expected £25m package plus £5m in add-ons.

Head coach Tonda Eckert has omitted the defender from Southampton’s last three matchday squads amid ongoing speculation.

Benfica had a bid rejected, then Premier League Villa saw an offer of their own turned down.

Talks with the West Midlands club have continued and a deal is now expected to be finalised.

Harwood-Bellis joined Southampton in 2023, initially on loan from Manchester City. Promotion to the Premier League in 2024 triggered a £20m permanent transfer.

He has made 134 appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals. His most recent outing was two weeks ago, starting the opening Championship match, a 2-1 defeat at Watford.

Villa will compete in the Champions League this season and are one of the Premier League’s recent powerhouses under Unai Emery.

Source: Daily Echo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”